Cost and economic development considerations supersede mobility considerations in the planning for Charlotte's planned light rail line.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) "wants to build a rail line – known as the Silver Line — from Matthews to uptown, and then continuing to the airport and possibly Belmont," reports Steve Harrison.
The problem is how to route the east-west light-rail line through the center city.
"If the transit system is only focused on moving people, the tunnel is the best option," according to Harrison, who is paraphrasing the explanation of CATS Chief Executive John Lewis. However, that's not the only consideration CATS considered when planning the light rail line.
"Lewis said CATS couldn’t look only at mobility. He said CATS is a part of the city of Charlotte and the city has other goals, like economic development. The area around I-277 is mostly empty today," explains Harrison. "So CATS picked the northern route through uptown. The Silver Line would follow I-277, and then cross over the highway and run along 11th street. It would then turn to the south and run alongside the existing railroad tracks two blocks northwest of Graham Street."
Harrison is able to find multiple sources in positions of power who are disappointed with the decision, as Charlotte prepares to become the latest (but not the only) case study of light rail transit planning that doesn't optimize ridership, and routes a long a freeway.
FULL STORY: Airport Train Route Stirs Concern Because It Avoids Center City
A New 26-Mile Light Rail Line Considered for Charlotte
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) would like to add an ambitious, expensive project to its capital investment plans, but funding the project is more daunting than the last time the system expanded.
Big Light Rail Expansion Planned in Montreal
Montreal officials recently announced details of a major expansion of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).
Connecting Light Rail Plans to Affordable Housing Opportunities
To keep up with affordable housing demand, Snohomish County needs to add 200,000 units by 2050. Planned light rail stations could be the ticket.
The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021
Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.
The Roadway Expansion Paradox
Motorists want expensive roadway expansions provided that somebody else foots the bill, but when required to pay directly through tolls, the need for more capacity often disappears. What should planners do?
Urban Exodus: Data Don't Support the Popular Pandemic Narrative
Americans fled cities in waves during the pandemic, right? Not to so fast.
Measuring the Economic Impact of the Great Allegheny Passage
Small communities once dependent on coal, coke, paper, lumber, and manufacturing now have a 150-mile bike and pedestrian path contributing to the local economy.
Houston Could End Homelessness With Less Than 2,000 Housing Units
Houston's homeless response program has yielded strong results in the last few years. Just 1,900 new affordable housing units could 'effectively end' homelessness in the city.
Land Use Regulations on a Collision Course in California
The future of planning in California depends on how lawyers reconcile the Housing Accountability Act with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Nelson\Nygaard
BRAILSFORD & DUNLAVEY
Water Replenishment District (WRD)
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of San Carlos
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Royal Oak, Michigan
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
